"RATTLESNAKE!"By Willis Lamm

Western Diamondback (Courtesy N.P.S)

Reprinted with permission of TrailBlazer Magazine for
non-commercial use.

Recent revisions to snake bite protocols are indicated in red.

Over 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United
States each year. On average, fewer than 10 snakebite deaths are reported.
In fact more people die from wasp and bee stings than from snakebites.
Nonetheless venomous snakes must be considered dangerous and even non-fatal
bites can cause severe pain and long lasting tissue damage.

There are four species of venomous snakes in the United
States. Three, the Copperhead, Water Moccasin and Rattlesnake, belong to a group
known as pit vipers. They get this title due their highly specialized venom
apparatus that include two long hinged fangs and a pair of extremely
sensitive innervated pits that are located between their eyes and
nostrils. These pits are "heat detectors" used for hunting that are so sensitive that
blindfolded snakes have been able to accurately follow warm-blooded prey
(e.g., rodents) from a distance of 6 feet!

Rattlesnakes are equipped for both day and night vision. They
give birth to living, venomous young. There are many varieties in the U.S.,
the most predominant being:

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake; the most dangerous North
American snake. Specimens have been captured as a large as 8-foot long and
weighing 15 pounds. The snake's 3/4" fangs are capable of penetrating almost any boot.
Fortunately this snake is relatively docile.

The Diamondback; a western rattlesnake that can become quite
nasty when provoked. The Diamondback is responsible for most deaths due to
snakebite in the U.S.

The Prairie Rattler; a smaller snake found in the great
plains, also with a relatively nasty disposition. It is too small to be a fatal
threat to a treated human, but horses and cattle bitten on the nose can die
from the resulting swelling that blocks their air passages.

The Timber or Banded Rattlesnake; a northeastern snake that
is easily camouflaged on the forest floor.

The Sidewinder; another often "hidden" rattlesnake,so named
for its unusual side-sliding movements that leave "J" patterns in the sand.
When the day gets hot, the Sidewinder buries itself in the sand to keep cool,
leaving just its eyes exposed that are protected by horn-like growths.
Neither of the Sidewinder or the Timber Rattler are easily discovered until the
passer-by is well within striking distance.

Rattlesnakes, before striking, are typically coiled except for
the forward part of the body that is raised and the rattle that is buzzing.
Rattlesnakes typically strike up to a distance equal to 1/3 to
1/2 of their overall length, although longer reaches are theoretically
possible.

The sound made by a rattler is caused by the clicking together
of the rattle segments when the tail is vibrated. This sound has been
described as similar to the crackling sound of frying fat. It should be noted that
when the rattle is wet, it makes no noise.

Pit vipers generally inject large amounts of venom into
hunting bites, but oftentimes little or no venom into defensive bites. In fact, up
to 25% of pit viper bites in humans are non-venomous "dry bites". A provoked
and angered snake, however, might not only "load up" to be quite venomous,
but may also strike several times!

SNAKEBITES IN HUMANS

A rattlesnake bite is a serious event, but by staying calm,
following good procedures and using common sense, it doesn't have to be a fatal
event. In fact, Rattlesnake bites are generally not fatal. The signs and
symptoms of poisoning often take several hours to develop. Reliable
antivenins are available at virtually all medical facilities and proper
prehospital care can lessen the toxicity of the event and resulting tissue damage.

There have been many snake bite remedies offered over the
years. Recent studies have concluded that the following protocols are best:
(Note 1)

Stay calm, get safely away from the snake, and have someone call 9-1-1
(or the emergency number in your area). The less the victim moves the
bitten site, the less likely the venom will be profused and cause damage.

Have the victim lie down with the affected limb lower than the heart.
Keep the limb immobilized. If practical, splint the limb.

Treat for shock and preserve body heat.

Remove any rings, bracelets, boots, or other restricting items from the
bitten extremity. (It WILL swell.)

Apply a light constricting band about 2" above and below the bite,
however never place the bands on either side of a joint (such as above
and below the knee or elbow). This band should be made up of wide,
soft material, that could be a handkerchief or shredded clothing. The
band should only be as tight as the band the nurse applies when giving a
blood test.

NOTE: The purpose of constricting bands is to restrict lymphatic flow,
not blood, so they should not be too tight. Check pulses below the
bands and readjust them as necessary when they tighten due to swelling.

Wash the bite with soap and water (if available).

If the victim has to walk out, sit calmly for 20-30
minutes to let the venom localize at the site, proceed calmly to the nearest source of
help and try to avoid unnecessary exertion that will stimulate
circulation of the poison.

Get the victim to definitive medical care for antivenin, that will
provide the greatest relief from the toxic effects of the bite.

ACTIONS TO AVOID:

DO NOT cut the bite. The additional tissue damage may actually increase
the diffusion of the toxins throughout the body.

DO NOT apply a tourniquet. Such action can result in the loss of the
limb.

NEVER try to suck out the venom by mouth. You can try the suction cup
in a snakebite kit if it doesn't delay other needed treatment.
Suctioning seldom provides any measurable advantages, however.

Do not apply cold and/or ice packs. Recent studies indicate
that application of cold or ice makes the injury much worse.

SNAKEBITES IN HORSES:

Facial Bites

Most horses are bitten on the nose when they lower their heads to investigate
the snake. This is by far the most dangerous site for a bite as the resulting
swelling often closes both nostrils and causes suffocation.

Bites on the legs

These bites can occur when the horse steps too close to a snake. Due to the lack of
muscle in the leg, leg bites may be difficult to identify as there may be
little or no swelling.

The following actions should be taken for a horse that has been bitten by a
snake: (Note 2)

Stay calm and get safely away from the snake. Forget about going after
the snake and focus your attention on settling the horse down.

Constricting bands may be applied similar to those used on humans.

For nose and face bites, insert a piece of garden hose, about 5 to 6
inches long, into each nostril. These may have to be taped at first,
but soon the swelling will secure them in place. (Two pieces, cut from
an old, stiff garden hose, should be carried whenever riding in
rattlesnake country.)

Trailer the horse to veterinary care or try to get the vet to come out
to the horse. Try not to walk the horse unless absolutely necessary.

To avoid complications due to tissue damage, do not delay getting
veterinary help for the horse.

As with humans, DO NOT cut the bite, DO NOT apply a tourniquet, and NEVER try
to suck out the venom by mouth.

ENCOUNTERING SNAKES ON THE TRAIL

The best way to survive a snakebite is to not get bitten!

Rattlers often take cover under rocks and logs, particularly
if the temperature doesn't suit them. In cold weather they often group
together in dens. When resting during a ride in rattlesnake country, the
rider should check carefully around rocks and logs before sitting down and
never place hands and feet where they can't be seen clearly.

Occasionally snakes will be found sunning themselves on the
trail. In this state they are often comfortable and docile and don't wish to
move. If the snake doesn't leave when you approach, I would suggest you leave
it alone. If you have to pass by the snake, you may consider encouraging it to
leave. I have successfully gently nudged snakes with long sticks to get
them to move along, however there is a fine line between annoying a snake and
getting it angry enough to load up with venom and strike.

If you have to remove a snake from the trail, a safer approach
might be to calmly and lightly pitch small stones or dirt clods at the snake
from a safe distance. Be patient. Usually the snake will tire of this
disturbance and slither off without wishing to strike back.

If you accidentally step on or next to a snake, prevent your
horse from looking down at the snake and slowly back away. My experience
with rattlers is unless they are actually stepped on, they tend to give larger
animals a few seconds to get out of the way. A calm process resembling "OK
snake, we'll be going" would be a safer departure than a panicked reaction where
the horse's sudden movements may appear aggressive to the snake and provoke a
strike, or worse yet, ending up stepping on the snake or getting the rider
thrown.

Even if the horse is bitten, a calm departure may prevent
additional strikes, particularly that potentially fatal nose strike should the horse
suddenly investigate what just happened.

Rattlesnakes are generally defensive around larger animals, so
unless extremely angered, they will generally choose to leave once they
feel it is safe to do so. In such instances it is a good idea to give the
snake a minute or so to get comfortably away before passing, listening for
rustling or rattling to determine that it has actually left, not holed up in
a nearby unseen den.

Keeping in mind that an unprovoked snake doesn't want trouble
any more than we do, and acting accordingly when encountering one, will generally
prevent most human-serpent complications.

Notes:

The recommended treatments presented are those published in the current
edition of Brady's Emergency Care for the Sick and Injured, the standard
training and procedures manual for Emergency Medical Technicians.

The recommended treatments presented are those published in James' How
To Be Your Own Veterinarian (Sometimes), and related texts.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SNAKEBITES IN HUMANS:

A noticeable bite on the skin that may appear as a discolored area with
two (but occasionally only one) puncture marks

Pain and swelling in the area of the bite (Swelling may take several
hours to develop.)

Rapid pulse and labored breathing

Progressive general weakness

Vision problems

Nausea and vomiting

Seizures

Drowsiness or unconsciousness.

Note: Not all the above symptoms may appear!

If the bite is not followed by severe, continual pain,
the bite is probably not venomous.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SNAKEBITES IN HORSES:

Bite site swelling

Salivation

Twitching muscles

Wobbling

Convulsions

Coma

Note: Not all the above symptoms may appear!

KNOW YOUR SNAKES

Two common snakes are easily confused; the harmless Gopher
Snake and the dangerous Diamondback. The following differences may help you to
correctly identify a snake that you may encounter.

RATTLESNAKE (including the Diamondback)

Triangular head, noticeably larger than the body

Thick, dull (not glossy) body

Tail blunt with one or more rattles

Generally travels with tail pointed up

GOPHER SNAKE

Head only slightly larger than the body; sleek looking

Slender, glossy body

Pointed tail

Note: The gopher snake, when frightened, will often try to imitate a rattler
by hissing and shaking its tail in dry grass or leaves. If in doubt, assume
it is a rattler and stay away.

A gopher snake, although non-venomous, will strike like a rattler to fend off
danger. Gopher snake bites can be easily discerned from rattler bites. The
gopher snake has complete sets of small, sharp teeth on both upper and lower
jaws, while the rattler has only two fangs on the upper jaw. Rather than
leave two deep puncture marks, the gopher snake will leave two sets of needle-
like punctures, following the shape of the upper and lower jaws.

Gopher snake bites can be quite painful, and the wound, like any animal bite,
should be cleansed, but this snake has no venom and thus is considered
harmless to humans and livestock.

Our thanks to TrailBlazer Magazine for permission to post this series on our web page.
Visit the TrailBlazer website at www.horsetrails.com.
Please Note: Scientists are detecting neurotoxic changes in the venom of rattlesnakes
in some regions. For credible information that you probably ought to read, please
check out the following document presented by the Colorado Herpetological Society: